Best Progression Fantasy with Crafting: Recommended Reads for 2025
Progression fantasy is about growth, but the best stories go further than levels and stats. They highlight forging, enchanting, and resource management. Readers who want the best progression fantasy books are looking for worlds where equipment is built, potions are brewed, and survival depends on preparation and skill.
This 2025 guide gathers series where crafting and creation systems are central to progression. Each one blends combat with construction, showing how intelligence and creativity shape power. If you are searching for the best progression fantasy recommendations, especially stories where crafting matters, this list is for you.
1. He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon (Travis Deverell)
Jason’s path to power combines combat, alchemy, and magical engineering. He experiments with resources and systems, making crafting part of his growth. Fans often cite it as one of the top progression fantasy series because it balances progression with logic and creativity. Across multiple volumes, Jason’s advancement shows how resource management can be just as impactful as fighting.
2. Sufficiently Advanced Magic by Andrew Rowe
This series is known for detailed enchanting and artifact creation. Characters progress through magical engineering, where carefully built systems drive advancement. Instead of shortcuts, they rely on crafting inscriptions and runes that obey strict logic. For readers who want the best progression fantasy with crafting mechanics, Rowe’s series is a strong recommendation.
3. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Carl’s survival depends on more than combat. Crafting, scavenging, and improvisation are key at every stage. The series emphasizes gear upgrades and creative resource use, making it one of the most recommended progression fantasy stories with crafting and survival themes. Its mix of strategy, dark humor, and progression has earned it a loyal following.
4. Ten Realms by Michael Chatfield
In The Ten Realms, crafting is essential to survival and growth. Erik and Rugrat forge weapons, brew potions, and manage supply chains that matter as much as combat. The series treats resource management with the same weight as tactics, making it a leading choice for readers looking for the best progression fantasy with crafting and military realism. With more than twelve volumes and long audiobooks, it delivers an immersive experience for readers who want logical progression.
👉 Read on Amazon | Listen on Audible | Explore on Michael’s official site
5. Spells, Swords, & Stealth (starting with NPCs) by Drew Hayes
Drew Hayes blends humor with practical progression. Crafting and item use remain important throughout, forcing characters to rely on creativity as well as strength. It stands out as one of the best progression fantasy recommendations for readers who want lighter storytelling while still respecting crafting and system logic.
6. Emerilia by Michael Chatfield
Emerilia is built on MMO-inspired mechanics where forging and building are central to character advancement. Characters progress by crafting weapons, enchanting gear, and managing resources. The result is a world that feels alive and player-driven. For fans of MMO-style progression and detailed systems, Emerilia is a strong choice among the best progression fantasy series with crafting depth.
👉 Read on Amazon | Listen on Audible | Explore on Michael’s official site
7. Forge of Destiny by Yrsillar
This cultivation story ties growth directly to forging and magical engineering. Each crafted item and every training step feels earned. It is often recommended to readers who want progression fantasy with creation systems that define the protagonist’s journey.
Closing Thoughts
Crafting transforms progression fantasy into more than a power climb. The series above show how forging, enchanting, and resource management drive character growth. For 2025, these are among the best progression fantasy recommendations for readers who want crafting systems that matter. Michael Chatfield’s Ten Realms and Emerilia stand out for their long-form immersion, military realism, and MMO-inspired crafting depth.
Join the Discussion
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What is your favorite crafted weapon, potion, or artifact from a fantasy series?
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Do you enjoy crafting systems that feel realistic, or ones that lean into magical creativity?
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Which progression fantasy series do you think balances combat and crafting the best?